Some very thoughtful analysis on the Obama Muslim story was just posted by Hillary Clinton’s former faith advisor. His name is Burns Strider and he is highly respected not just in Democratic circles but outside them as well.
Strider founded the Eleison Group which is described as "a communications firm that specializes in strategic planning for politicians and faith communities." His comments should make us pause and think. You may not agree but he has a point.
Just how much do FOX News and MSNBC shape our thinking? After all, there is NO credible evidence that President Obama is a Muslim. You may have your reasons and lists of why you think he's a Muslim, but beyond speculation where are the facts?
I'm talking about ACTUAL evidence, not presenting an example that starts with the phrase, "Well he must be a Muslim because...
Either way, the fact that 20 percent or so of the country now believes the President is a Muslim has definitely got the attention of the media, the White House, and a majority of Americans. People are going to believe whatever they want and they'll have their reasons. The lack of any credible evidence may not matter in this case.
Strider's excerpt is below. The whole analysis is here.
A great deal of electronic ink has been spilled this past week about the recent Pew poll where about 1-in-5 Americans said they thought Obama was a Muslim. Everyone is asking how this happened and what could the White House have done differently to prevent it?
In hindsight most anything can be done better, but anyone who has been following national politics should know Obama is a prayerful Christian. He doesn't wear is faith on his sleeve (or as a chip on his shoulder), but he rose to national prominence with a speech that was perhaps most known for its focus on faith.
And he has not shied away from speaking very publicly about how the resurrected Christ is his Lord and Savior when the situation was appropriate. Some point to the fact that Obama worships at camp David instead of a D.C. church, but neither George W. Bush nor Reagan went to church on Sundays while they were in the White House, so that can't be the explanation.
So where is the confusion coming from? The misunderstanding many Americans have about Obama's faith is not an accident or something that just happened naturally. It is the result of a widespread and constant misinformation campaign by FOX News and right wing bloggers and radio hosts.
These pundits are bearing false witness and sowing seeds of doubt about a fellow Christian who also happens to be their President, and they should be ashamed. Of course, FOX and others will argue they are just asking questions and they can't be held responsible for the statements made by their guests or people they are interviewing.
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